Paph Prime Child - bought in bloom

[ajaxtoothpaste]

I just bought a prime child and I was wondering how many times a week you water yours. Also how frequent are you fertilizing? I am new to paphs just started my collection 5 months ago but I already love them and have been buying them every orchid show.

[tucker85]

Beautiful!

[rdlsreno]

Nice one!

Ramon

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by ajaxtoothpaste

I just bought a prime child and I was wondering how many times a week you water yours. Also how frequent are you fertilizing? I am new to paphs just started my collection 5 months ago but I already love them and have been buying them every orchid show.

Welcome to Orchid Board

I aim to water mine about once a week with fertiliser 3 waterings out of 4. HOWEVER that is based on my environment and how fast it is drying and can vary if you have different environmental conditions.

It's a good idea to flush with plain water 1 watering out of 4 with most orchids/mediums but how often you water really depends on the medium and how quickly it dries.

Personally I like to let Paphs dry between waterings. I've had problems with root rot when I've tried to keep them always just moist. I don't like them to be dry for long, but like them to have just gone dry when I water.

[ajaxtoothpaste]

Thank you for you response I was fertilizing every two weeks but I have learned that the grower fertilized like you suggested. What fertilizer do you use in what concentration? I use 20-14-13 ORCHID PLUS. I appreciate any info you can give me. I am already hooked on orchids and find learning about them very fascinating.

[ronaldhanko]

Beautiful Paph, Rosie. Hope the new job is going well.

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by ajaxtoothpaste

Thank you for you response I was fertilizing every two weeks but I have learned that the grower fertilized like you suggested. What fertilizer do you use in what concentration? I use 20-14-13 ORCHID PLUS.

I use this one, but not sure if it's available in the USA as I'm in the UK.

Orchid Food and Fertilizers great products for your orchids - - Grow-More Orchid Feed 20-10-20 3.00lb size

It's a 20-10-20 and I use it for all orchids, with a concentration depending on what the orchid likes. If you've not seen it then take a look at Ray's calculator for fertiliser mixing. Ones like this I would do at the standard strength his calculator defaults to.

Fertilizer Mixing Calculators

---------- Post added at 08:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:56 AM ----------

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

Beautiful Paph, Rosie. Hope the new job is going well.

Thanks Ron,

Yeah job is going well, really enjoying it

[RJSquirrel]

nice happy paphy!! I wished I woulda bought mine in bud at least.. I got one that the ad said "5 years out of flask and should bloom this year given proper culture and conditions". And no it wasnt HIM. Another year another new growth. One half year later all I got is High hopes!!! You gave me more Rosie...

But I have found out if you get the paphs in bud make sure you got some nicely started 2nd and 3rd fans bec that single plant...It might be 5 or 6 or 7 years before you ever see them blooms again . Now you got high hopes too all da sudden

[Connie Star]

I have one doing very well. It bloomed with 3 flowers looking gorgeous. Unfortunately, just before our show, my fidgety nephew knocked it over at the spikes broke.
But, it will bloom again!